Methods of controlling a digital display based on sensor data, and related systems

ABSTRACT

Methods of operating a system of nodes are provided. A method of operating first and second nodes that are in a system of nodes includes processing first data from a first plurality of sensors of the first node. The method includes controlling a first digital display of the first node in response to the processed first data. The method includes uploading the processed first data from the first node via the Internet. The method includes processing second data from a second plurality of sensors of the second node. The method includes controlling a second digital display of the second node in response to the processed second data. The method includes uploading the processed second data from the second node via the Internet. Each of the first and second nodes is attached to a utility pole, a light pole, a kiosk, or a motor vehicle. Related systems are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/944,387, filed Dec. 6, 2019, and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/964,916, filed Jan. 23, 2020, the disclosuresof which are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties byreference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to sensors, digital displays, andwireless communications platforms.

BACKGROUND

Digital cameras have proliferated in both private and public spaces.Accordingly, the collection of digital image data has becomeincreasingly common, and demand for communications network bandwidth tocommunicate the data has also increased. Converting raw data fromcameras into helpful information, however, can be difficult. As anexample, communicating and analyzing large amounts of video data canstrain bandwidth and processing resources.

SUMMARY

A system, according to embodiments of the present inventive concepts,may include a first outdoor node including a first digital display, afirst processor, and a first plurality of sensors. The system mayinclude a second outdoor node including a second digital display, asecond processor, and a second plurality of sensors. The first andsecond outdoor nodes may be at different first and second outdoorlocations, respectively, in a geographic area. The first processor maybe configured to process first data from the first plurality of sensors.The first processor may be configured to control the first digitaldisplay in response to the processed first data. The first processor maybe configured to control uploading via the Internet of the processedfirst data. Moreover, the second processor may be configured to processsecond data from the second plurality of sensors. The second processormay be configured to control the second digital display in response tothe processed second data. The second processor may be configured tocontrol uploading via the Internet of the processed second data.

In some embodiments, the geographic area may be a city, a school campus,a residential community, an industrial park, a military base, or arecreation area. Moreover, the processed first data may include a countof objects detected by the first plurality of sensors, and the processedsecond data may include a count of objects detected by the secondplurality of sensors.

According to some embodiments, the system may include a server or groupof servers. Uploading the processed first and second data via theInternet may include transmitting the processed first and second data tothe server or group of servers.

In some embodiments, the first plurality of sensors may include multipletypes of sensors. For example, the first plurality of sensors mayinclude a camera and a microphone. Moreover, the first plurality ofsensors may include an atmospheric pollution sensor or other weathersensor.

According to some embodiments, the first plurality of sensors mayinclude a device-temperature sensor that is configured to detect atemperature of one or more components of the first outdoor node.

A method of operating first and second nodes that are in a system ofnodes, according to embodiments of the present inventive concepts, mayinclude processing first data from a first plurality of sensors of thefirst node. The method may include controlling a first digital displayof the first node in response to the processed first data. The methodmay include uploading the processed first data from the first node viathe Internet. The method may include processing second data from asecond plurality of sensors of the second node. The method may includecontrolling a second digital display of the second node in response tothe processed second data. Moreover, the method may include uploadingthe processed second data from the second node via the Internet. Thefirst node may be attached to a first utility pole, a first light pole,a first digital banner, a first kiosk, or a first mass-transit vehicle.The second node may be attached to a second utility pole, a second lightpole, a second digital banner, a second kiosk, or a second mass-transitvehicle.

In some embodiments, the first and second nodes may be in differentfirst and second locations, respectively, in a city, on a school campus,in a residential community, in an industrial park, on a military base,or in a recreation area.

According to some embodiments, the processed first data may include acount of objects detected by the first plurality of sensors, and theprocessed second data may include a count of objects detected by thesecond plurality of sensors. For example, the count of objects detectedby the first plurality of sensors may include a count of pedestriansthat are adjacent the first node, and the count of objects detected bythe second plurality of sensors may include a count of motor vehiclesthat are adjacent the second node. Moreover, the count of objectsdetected by the first plurality of sensors may include a count of humanfaces that look at the first digital display.

In some embodiments, uploading the processed first and second data viathe Internet may include transmitting the processed first and seconddata to a server or group of servers.

According to some embodiments, the first plurality of sensors mayinclude multiple types of sensors. For example, the first plurality ofsensors may include a camera and a microphone. Moreover, the firstplurality of sensors may include an atmospheric pollution sensor orother weather sensor.

In some embodiments, the method may include controlling a traffic lightand/or a pedestrian crosswalk signal, in response to the processed firstdata.

According to some embodiments, controlling the first digital display mayinclude identifying, via the first digital display, a plurality of openparking spots that are adjacent the first node.

In some embodiments, controlling the first digital display may includechanging an image on the first digital display in response to a weathercondition that is indicated by the processed first data. Additionally oralternatively, controlling the first digital display may includechanging a screen brightness level of the first digital display inresponse to a signal received by the first node via a wirelesscommunications network or in response to the processed first data.

According to some embodiments, the first plurality of sensors mayinclude a microphone. Uploading the processed first data may beperformed in response to detecting, by the microphone, a noise levelthat exceeds a threshold noise level. Moreover, uploading the processedfirst data may be performed in response to detecting, by the microphone,a gunshot or a motor vehicle collision.

In some embodiments, the processed first data may include an indicationthat passersby on scooters, bicycles, skateboards, and/or hoverboardshave been detected by the first node.

According to some embodiments, processing first data may include:counting a person detected by the first plurality of sensors; andrefraining from re-counting the person for a predetermined amount oftime.

In some embodiments, the method may include receiving the processedfirst data at the second node via a wireless communications network.Moreover, the method may include controlling the second digital displayof the second node in response to the processed first data.

According to some embodiments, the first plurality of sensors mayinclude a device-temperature sensor that detects a temperature of one ormore components of the first node. For example, uploading the processedfirst data may be performed in response to detecting, by thedevice-temperature sensor, that the temperature of the one or morecomponents of the first node meets or exceeds a threshold temperature,such as 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, uploading the processed firstdata may include uploading a daily report of temperature conditions thatare detected by the device-temperature sensor.

A method of operating first and second nodes that are in a system ofnodes, according to embodiments of the present inventive concepts, mayinclude processing first data from a first plurality of sensors of thefirst node. The first plurality of sensors may include adevice-temperature sensor that detects a temperature of one or morecomponents of the first node. The method may include uploading theprocessed first data from the first node via the Internet. Uploading theprocessed first data may include: uploading a daily report oftemperature conditions that are detected by the device-temperaturesensor; or uploading the processed first data in response to detecting,by the device-temperature sensor, that the temperature of the one ormore components of the first node meets or exceeds a thresholdtemperature. The method may include processing second data from a secondplurality of sensors of the second node. Moreover, the method mayinclude uploading the processed second data from the second node via theInternet. The first node may be attached to a first utility pole, afirst light pole, a first digital banner, a first kiosk, or a firstmass-transit vehicle. The second node may be attached to a secondutility pole, a second light pole, a second digital banner, a secondkiosk, or a second mass-transit vehicle.

In some embodiments, the first plurality of sensors may include multipletypes of sensors. For example, the first plurality of sensors mayinclude a camera and a microphone, in addition to the device-temperaturesensor. Moreover, the first plurality of sensors may include anatmospheric pollution sensor or other weather sensor.

According to some embodiments, the method may include controlling one ormore active-cooling elements of the first node in response to detecting,by the device-temperature sensor, that the temperature of the one ormore components of the first node meets or exceeds the thresholdtemperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a geographic area including nodesthat each have multiple sensors, according to embodiments of the presentinventive concepts.

FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of a node on a light pole, accordingto embodiments of the present inventive concepts.

FIG. 1C is a schematic illustration of a node on a utility pole,according to embodiments of the present inventive concepts.

FIG. 1D is a schematic illustration of a kiosk comprising a node,according to embodiments of the present inventive concepts.

FIG. 1E is a schematic illustration of a node on a mass-transit vehicle,according to embodiments of the present inventive concepts.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a node that has multiple sensors,according to embodiments of the present inventive concepts.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of sensors of a node, according toembodiments of the present inventive concepts.

FIG. 2C is a block diagram that illustrates details of an exampleprocessor and memory that may be used in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of operations of a node that has multiple sensors,according to embodiments of the present inventive concepts.

FIG. 4 is a screenshot of a graphical user interface (“GUI”) of anelectronic device that is configured to communicate with a node,according to embodiments of the present inventive concepts.

FIG. 5 illustrates a digital image having objects identified therein,according to embodiments of the present inventive concepts.

FIG. 6 illustrates a pole-mounted optical sensor, according toembodiments of the present inventive concepts.

FIG. 7 is a screenshot of a typical report generated for the GUI of anelectronic device that is configured to communicate with a node,according to embodiments of the present inventive concepts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Pursuant to embodiments of the present inventive concepts, systems andmethods are provided that can serve as a communications platform toenable smart cities. For example, the platform can collect raw dataabout a city environment and apply algorithms to provide meaningfulinformation to residents and visitors alike. Optical sensors can countpedestrian traffic and vehicular traffic, and this data can be used toimprove traffic, such as by (a) controlling a traffic light and/or apedestrian crosswalk signal and/or (b) identifying open parking spots,among other implementations. Additional sensors can compute air quality,noise level, and weather observations (e.g., temperature and humidity),among others. For example, a node that detects stopped motor vehicletraffic and/or high pollution can transmit a signal to force a greenlight, thus reducing vehicular stop time and emissions.

Leveraging optics as sensors, artificial intelligence (“AI”) can becost-effectively applied for object detection. A camera can act as asensor, and AI can count the number of objects in a digital image frame,such as the number of people. Moreover, optical sensors may include acamera that operates in the visible-light spectrum and/or a camera thatoperates beyond the visible-light spectrum. For example, a camera may bean infrared camera.

By using multiple types of sensors at a node in a smart-city system, thenode can provide more reliable, more localized, and more detailed data.For example, the node can advantageously combine data from audio andvideo sensors rather than relying on only video sensors or only audiosensors. As another example, the node can advantageously combine datafrom weather, device-temperature, and video sensors rather than relyingon only video, device-temperature, or weather sensors. Such data derivedfrom multiple types of sensors can be helpful for tracking criminalactivity, treating roads for weather conditions, reducing energyconsumption of a display of the node, reducing pollution, and finding aparking spot, among other uses.

Moreover, by processing sensor data at the node and wirelesslytransmitting the processed (i.e., smaller and targeted) data rather thanraw data, wireless communications bandwidth used by the node can bereduced. For example, the node can count the number of people who havepassed by the node and can wirelessly transmit the count to the cloudrather than uploading a video of the people to the cloud. Accordingly,flexible processing of sensor data can be remotely throttled (e.g.,dynamically adjusted) to occur primarily at the node and/or in thecloud, as warranted. For example, during mild temperatures, weather datamay be processed at a node whose sensor detects the weather, but thenode may be instructed to report back to the cloud as temperatures nearthe freezing/icing point, which may facilitate informing a broader rangeof a city's occupants.

Example embodiments of the present inventive concepts will be describedin greater detail with reference to the attached figures.

FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a geographic area 13 includingnodes 10 that each have multiple sensors S (FIG. 2A). The geographicarea 13 may be, for example, a city or portion thereof (e.g., a downtownarea), a school campus, a residential community, an industrial park, amilitary base, or a recreation area. The nodes 10, which are atdifferent respective physical locations 14, may communicate with one ormore servers 12 via a communication network 11. For example, thecommunication network 11 may comprise a wireless network, such as acellular (e.g., 3G/4G/5G/LTE, other cellular) network. In someembodiments, the nodes 10 may be referred to herein as “transponders”because they frequently (e.g., multiple times per hour) transmit databased on activity/conditions detected by the sensors S.

For simplicity of illustration, four nodes 10-1 through 10-4 are shownat respective locations 14-1 through 14-4 in the geographic area 13.Some geographic areas 13, however, may include dozens, hundreds, or morenodes 10 at respective locations 14. The locations 14 may includeoutdoor locations, such as light poles, and/or may include kiosks thatmay be indoors or outdoors. Accordingly, one or more of the nodes 10-1through 10-4 may be an outdoor node that is located outdoors.

By sharing data with each other (e.g., via the communication network11), a group of nodes 10 in the geographic area 13 can provide asynergistic benefit of sensors S teaming up despite being at differentlocations 14. For example, a city occupant that needs to drive to workmay be very interested to know that sensors S on the west side of townare all detecting a freezing state. A prediction of when ice may becomeproblematic for the city occupant's commute may be provided (e.g.,displayed) via a local node 10 as the weather pattern is approaching theoccupant's direction. Accordingly, the teaming up of sensors S mayprovide an additional level of information (beyond raw data) to cityoccupants, whether in the weather context or other contexts.

FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of a node 10-1 at a location 14-1that is a light pole. One or more sensors S (FIG. 2A) of the node 10-1may be configured to detect various objects. Examples of the objectsinclude pedestrians, such as object 15-1, and/or motor vehicles, such asobject 15-2. For example, the node 10-1 may include one or more opticalsensors C (FIG. 2B) and/or one or more microphones MIC (FIG. 2B) thatare configured to detect the objects 15-1 and 15-2. Moreover, aprocessor P (FIG. 2A) of the node 10-1 can use computer readable programcode PC (FIG. 2C) to distinguish between the objects 15-1 and 15-2. Insome embodiments, the sensor(s) S of the node 10-1 may be configured todetect passersby on scooters, bicycles, and skateboards/hoverboards.

In some embodiments, the node 10-1 may include a digital display DS(FIG. 2A), which can display digital messaging (a digital advertisement,public service announcement, etc.) 17 or other digital images. Forexample, the digital messaging 17 can be displayed in response toprocessed sensor S data. As an example, the digital messaging 17 can bedisplayed in response to detecting a person (e.g., an object resemblinga human) and/or in response to detecting a particular weather condition.

The node 10-1 may have various use cases. For example, data regardingpedestrian and vehicular traffic may be collected and processed toperform various value-added functions, including changing digitalsignage messaging and/or changing the timing of traffic signals. In someembodiments, one or more optical sensors C of the node 10-1 may comprisea video sensor that is used to count people for the purpose of targetingmarketing impressions. For example, video sensor(s) may count the numberof people who walk past the node 10-1 and/or the number of people whosefaces look at a digital display DS of the node 10-1. Similarly, videosensor(s) can be used to count motor vehicles for the purpose of workingwith municipalities to improve traffic flow (e.g., to reduce congestionand emissions, improving parking, and so forth). Additionally oralternatively, an optical sensor C can capture an image of a motorvehicle license plate, and the node 10-1 can process the image todetermine the license plate number, which the node 10-1 can thenwirelessly transmit to law enforcement.

In some embodiments, a node 10 may comprise a digital banner, such asany of the pole-mountable digital banners in U.S. application Ser. No.29/593,127, filed Feb. 6, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No. D847,107), the entirecontent of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Eachdigital banner may comprise at least one digital display DS, and sensorsS of the node 10 may be on/in a housing of the digital banner. Forexample, some digital banners may be double-sided and thus may comprisetwo digital displays (i.e., two digital display screens) DS that face inopposite directions. Similarly, optical sensors C may be on oppositesides of a pole and/or on opposite sides of a digital banner (e.g., ahousing thereof).

Weather conditions may, in some embodiments, be captured to help drivecontent on the screen(s) of a digital banner. For example, when weathersensor(s) W (FIG. 2B) at a location 14 detect that the local ambienttemperature exceeds 80° F., screen(s) at the location 14 can show apublic service announcement about the importance of wearing a sun hatand using sunscreen and/or can display an advertisement for sunscreen.

Moreover, optical sensors C may detect open parking spots and displaythem/their locations on a digital banner. Additionally or alternatively,law enforcement may use data from optical sensor(s) C and/ormicrophone(s) MIC to detect and record criminal activity. In someembodiments, a node 10 may provide an emergency alert via its digitaldisplay DS and/or to the cloud, in response to processing data thatindicates an emergency event. For example, the node 10 can provide anemergency alert with respect to a detected active shooter and/orterrorist attack, thus providing valuable information to people in acity. As another example, the node 10 may display/upload local crimetrends, such as by informing city occupants that a series of carbreak-ins have occurred recently on a particular street at night.

FIG. 1C is a schematic illustration of a node 10-2 on a location 14-2that is a utility pole. In some embodiments, the node 10-2 may not havea digital display DS (FIG. 2A). The node 10-2 may still collect andprocess data, however, from sensors S (FIG. 2A) and may upload processeddata to the cloud (i.e., the Internet) via a communication network 11(FIG. 1A). Moreover, in some embodiments, the node 10-2 may transmitprocessed data to an electronic device 16 via a short-rangecommunications (e.g., Wi-Fi) link 18. For example, the electronic device16 may be a smartphone of a person who may be detected by the node 10-2as an object 15. Also, a wired power source at the utility pole may, insome embodiments, be used to power the sensors S.

FIG. 1D is a schematic illustration of a location 14-3 that is a digitalkiosk comprising a node 10-3. In some embodiments, sensors S (FIG. 2A)of the node 10-3 may be mounted in/on an upper half of the kiosk. Suchan elevated position may provide the sensors S with a better vantagepoint for detecting objects 15. The sensors S may include opticalsensors C (FIG. 2B), such as one or more high-definition (e.g., 720p,1080p, 4K, 8K, or higher resolution) video cameras. Moreover, aprocessor P (FIG. 2A) of the node 10-3 may use computer readable programcode PC (FIG. 2C) to perform video analytics at the kiosk based on datafrom the high-definition cameras. For example, the video analytics mayinclude counting pedestrians (i.e., objects 15 that the video analyticsidentify as people). In some embodiments, the kiosk may be a portablekiosk that counts pedestrians to determine whether the kiosk should bemoved to a different location with more foot traffic.

The node may also include a digital display DS (FIG. 2A), which candisplay digital messaging 17 or other digital images. Accordingly, byincluding both the display DS and the sensors S, the node 10-3 canchange the digital information that it displays based on data collectedby the sensors S. Different nodes 10 in a geographic area 13 (FIG. 1A)can thus display different information, which can be tailored toconditions detected at different locations 14. In some embodiments, thegeographic area 13 may include hundreds (e.g., 200) of light poles thathave sensors S and displays DS and at least one hundred kiosks that havesensors S and displays DS. Accordingly, data can be captured fromcameras and other sensors S situated throughout a city (or portionthereof) via digital banners and kiosks.

In addition to, or as an alternative to, changing the digitalinformation that is displayed by the display DS, the node 10-3 canchange a screen brightness level of the display DS based on datacollected by the sensors S. For example, the node 10-3 can dim thebrightness of the display DS during extremely hot ambient temperatureconditions to protect the display DS and other electronics inside thenode 10-3. The hot ambient temperature conditions may be detected by oneor more of the sensors S, such as by a weather sensor W (FIG. 2B) and/orby a device-temperature sensor DT (FIG. 2B) that detects temperatureconditions of one or more components (e.g., the display DS and/or otherelectronics) of the node 10-3. As another example, the node 10-3 can dimthe brightness of the display DS to shed load in response to a signalreceived via a communication network 11 (FIG. 1A) from a local electricutility during peak electricity demand periods.

FIG. 1E is a schematic illustration of a node 10-4 at a location 14-4that is a mass-transit vehicle (e.g., a bus or train). By including botha display DS (FIG. 2A) and sensors S (FIG. 2A), the node 10-4 can changethe digital information that it displays based on data collected by thesensors S. Moreover, the node 10-4 may, in some embodiments, be on apolice car or other motor vehicle (e.g., another law enforcementvehicle) that is not a mass-transit vehicle.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a node 10 that has multiple sensors S. Insome embodiments, the sensors S include different types of sensors(e.g., at least one optical sensor C (FIG. 2B) and at least onemicrophone MIC (FIG. 2B)). Moreover, in some embodiments, the sensors Sinclude multiple ones of at least one type of sensor (e.g., multipleoptical sensors C).

In addition to the sensors S, the node 10 includes a processor P and amemory M that the node 10 can use to process data from the sensors S. Insome embodiments, a sensor S may include a dedicated processor P thatprocesses data from only that particular sensor S. The node 10 alsoincludes one or more network interfaces N, such as a Wi-Fi interfaceand/or a cellular interface. Moreover, the node 10 may include a speakerSP and/or a digital display DS, which may be a high-definition displayscreen.

The network interfaces N can communicate over Internet Protocol, and maycomprise any radio frequency (“RF”) transceiver, including cellular,BLUETOOTH®, Wi-Fi, and/or LoRa (Long Range) transceivers, among others.For example, the node 10 may use Wi-Fi local-area network (“LAN”) datacommunications backhaul and/or fiber wide-area network (“WAN”) datacommunications backhaul.

According to some embodiments, one or more active thermal-managementelements, such as one or more fans CF or one or more heating elements,may be inside the node 10 and may be controlled to cool or heat the node10 in response to detecting a high or low internal temperature. Forexample, the active-cooling element(s) may be controlled to initiate (orincrease the rate of) cooling inside the node 10. Examples of increasingthe rate of cooling include increasing fan CF speed and/or increasingthe number of fans CF that are concurrently rotating inside the node 10.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of sensors S of a node 10 (FIG. 2A). Thesensors S may include (i) at least one microphone MIC, (ii) at least oneweather sensor W, (iii) at least one optical sensor C, and/or (iv) atleast one device-temperature sensor DT. For example, the node 10 may usea microphone MIC to detect noise-level data. Upon detecting that anoise-level threshold (e.g., a predefined noise-ordinance threshold) hasbeen exceeded, the node 10 can display a warning via a display DS (FIG.2A) and/or can transmit a message to authorities via a network interfaceN (FIG. 2A). Moreover, the node 10 may use a microphone MIC to detectaudible anomalies, such as gunshots or motor vehicle collisions, andthen may transmit a message to authorities via a network interface N. Insome embodiments, the node 10 may monitor noise levels and alert anetwork operations center or a customer contact in response tonoise-level data. This data may optionally also be fed into one or morehousing websites (e.g., as a score, such as a “walking score”) for thebenefit of potential buyers/renters.

A device-temperature sensor DT may detect temperature conditions (e.g.,to identify and/or limit possible overheating) of one or more componentsof the node 10. As an example, the device-temperature sensor DT may, insome embodiments, be a sensor inside the display DS.

The network interface(s) N may include, for example, short-rangewireless communications circuitry, such as Wi-Fi circuitry and/orBLUETOOTH® circuitry. Additionally or alternatively, the networkinterface(s) N may include cellular communication circuitry thatprovides a cellular wireless interface (e.g., 4G/5G/LTE, other cellular)and/or circuitry that provides a wireless mesh network interface.

In some embodiments, the node 10 may use a weather sensor W to collecttemperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, wind speed, or other weatherdata. For example, the weather sensor W may include a thermometer, ahumidity sensor, an anemometer, a barometric pressure sensor, and/or anair pollution sensor. As an example, the weather sensor W may be anatmospheric pollution sensor, which may be configured to detect ozone,radon, radiation, sulfur dioxide, and/or other indicators of atmosphericpollution. Moreover, the atmospheric pollution sensor may, in someembodiments, be included in addition to another type of weather sensorW, such as a thermometer.

The node 10 may, in some embodiments, include a limited number (e.g., 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or fewer) sensors S. For example, by using a limitednumber of camera and environmental sensors, the node 10 cansignificantly reduce system cost and complexity while improvingreliability. In some embodiments, the node 10 may have three or fewercameras. As used herein, the term “environmental sensors” may refer toweather sensors W (including air-quality sensors) and/or noise-detectionsensors (including microphones MIC).

FIG. 2C is a block diagram that illustrates details of an exampleprocessor P and memory M that may be used in accordance with variousembodiments. The processor P communicates with the memory M via anaddress/data bus B. The processor P may be, for example, a commerciallyavailable or custom microprocessor. Moreover, the processor P mayinclude multiple processors. The memory M may be a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium and may be representative of theoverall hierarchy of memory devices containing the software and dataused to implement various functions of a node 10 (FIG. 2A), anelectronic device 16 (FIG. 1C), or a server 12 (FIG. 1A) as describedherein. The memory M may include, but is not limited to, the followingtypes of devices: cache, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash, Static RAM(SRAM), and/or Dynamic RAM (DRAM).

As shown in FIG. 2C, the memory M may hold various categories ofsoftware and data, such as computer readable program code PC and/or anoperating system OS. The operating system OS controls operations of anode 10, an electronic device 16, or a server 12. In particular, theoperating system OS may manage the resources of a node 10, an electronicdevice 16, or a server 12 and may coordinate execution of variousprograms by the processor P. For example, the computer readable programcode PC, when executed by a processor P of a node 10, may cause theprocessor P to perform any of the operations illustrated in theflowchart of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of operations of a node 10 (FIG. 2A) that hasmultiple sensors S (FIG. 2A). The operations include processing (Block31) data from one or more of the sensors S. The operations includecontrolling (Block 32) a digital display DS (FIG. 2A) of the node 10 inresponse to the processed data. For example, the node 10 may change adigital image on the display DS based on video data that is collected byone or more optical sensors C (FIG. 2B) of the node 10. Moreover, theoperations include uploading (Block 33) the processed data from the node10 via the Internet (e.g., to one or more servers 12 (FIG. 1A)). As anexample, the node 10 may upload metadata (e.g., a count of objects 15(FIG. 1B)) that summarizes the video data. The uploading operation(s)may be performed before, after, or concurrently with the operation(s) ofcontrolling the display DS.

The frequency at which data is processed (Block 31) by the node 10 maybe different from the frequency at which data is uploaded (Block 33) bythe node 10. For example, data from the sensors S may be processed(Block 31) by the node 10 at a very fast rate (e.g., at least thirtytimes per minute or second), whereas processed data may be uploaded(Block 33) by the node 10 at a significantly reduced rate. As anexample, the node 10 may capture digital images every second but onlyupload processed data with respect to the images when something ofinterest (e.g., people, cars, open parking spots, etc.) is identified inan image.

In some embodiments, the node 10 may continuously process data from thesensors S. Accordingly, as long as the sensors S are generating new data(Block 34), the node 10 may process the new data. Alternatively, thenode 10 may periodically (e.g., once per minute) process new data fromthe sensors S.

Moreover, in the context of pedestrian and/or face detection, operationsof processing (Block 31) data may include refraining from counting apedestrian and/or a human face within a predetermined amount of time(e.g., thirty seconds, one minute, five minutes, etc.) of previouslycounting the person and/or face. For example, the node 10 may use adetection model that has a short-term memory so that if a person walksbehind a pole or a sign or behind a group of people, that person is notdouble-counted.

Though FIG. 3 illustrates operations of an individual node 10, each node10 in a system of nodes 10 for a geographic area 13 (FIG. 1A) mayperform the operations using its sensors S, display(s) DS, and networkinterface(s) N (FIG. 2A). For example, a first node 10-1 (FIG. 1A) canperform the operations concurrently or in sequence with a second node10-2 (FIG. 1A). If a node 10 does not have a display DS, thenoperation(s) of controlling a display DS may be omitted for that node10. Moreover, such operation(s) of controlling a display DS may, in someembodiments, be omitted when the node 10 is used to upload data aboutits internal temperature.

In some embodiments, sensors S of a node 10 may include one or moredevice-health and status sensors that are configured to monitor thehealth of the node 10. Accordingly, data that the node 10 processes maybe internal/diagnostic data, which can trigger a data upload (e.g., analert) by the node 10 via the Internet (e.g., to one or more servers 12(FIG. 1A)) at one or more critical-factor thresholds. For example, thedevice-health sensors may include device-temperature sensors DT (FIG.2B) that are configured to detect a temperature of one or morecomponents of the node 10.

A critical-factor threshold may be set at 140 degrees Fahrenheit foruploading alerts via the Internet. The reason for setting the thresholdat 140 degrees Fahrenheit is that damage to internal components of thenode 10 can begin shortly above this temperature. In response toreceiving such an alert, a technician can be dispatched to service thenode 10. Additionally or alternatively, one or more active-coolingtechniques (e.g., turning on a cooling fan CF (FIG. 2A) that is insidethe node 10) can be triggered by the node 10 in response to meeting orexceeding the threshold temperature. Moreover, the node 10 can reduce orturn off power to one or more components (e.g., a digital display DS(FIG. 2A)) in response to meeting or exceeding the thresholdtemperature.

The node 10 may, in some embodiments, upload a regular (e.g., daily at16:00) device status report with its internal temperature conditions viathe Internet. For example, the report may be an automatically-generatedemail that indicates (i) a current internal temperature of the node 10,(ii) whether the average internal temperature of the node 10 for aparticular day is higher or lower than the average for the previous day,(iii) whether a combination of internal temperature conditions suggestsan internal thermal problem for the node 10, (iv) a graph of internaltemperatures of the node 10 throughout a day, and/or (v) a table thatsummarizes internal temperature statistics for the node 10 over the pastseven days. Data in the report can advantageously be used to correlateinternal temperatures of the node 10 to solar irradiance, rain, cloudcover, etc. at a very granular level.

FIG. 4 is a screenshot of a GUI of an electronic device 16 (FIG. 1C)that is configured to communicate with a node 10 (FIG. 2A). In someembodiments, the electronic device 16 may be a smartphone, a tabletcomputer, a laptop computer, or a desktop computer. The electronicdevice 16 may be configured to communicate with the node 10 (or with oneor more servers 12 (FIG. 1A) that communicate with the node 10) via ashort-range wireless communications link 18 (FIG. 1C) and/or via theInternet.

For example, the electronic device 16 may access data from one or moreservers 12 regarding multiple nodes 10 via the Internet. In particular,the electronic device 16 may access processed sensor S (FIG. 2A) data ofmultiple nodes 10 via one web portal (e.g., website). As an example,FIG. 4 shows that a digital display DS (FIG. 2A) of the electronicdevice 16 may display data 411 and 412 regarding nodes 10 that are atdifferent respective locations 14-1 and 14-2 (FIG. 1A). The data 411 and412 may include a pedestrian count, a motor vehicle count, weather data,and/or noise data detected by the nodes 10. Moreover, the data 411 and412 may include an identification (e.g., an indication of detection)and/or a count of passersby on scooters, bicycles, and/orskateboards/hoverboards. The data 411 and 412 may be real-time data ordata collected over a particular timeframe (e.g., the past hour or pastten minutes).

In some embodiments, rather than displaying raw counts, the digitaldisplay DS may display information that is based on an interpretation ofthe counts. For example, regarding a motor vehicle count, a node 10 may:(i) calculate a traffic delay and display/upload a message that suggestsleaving five minutes early to arrive at work on time, (ii) calculate anddisplay/upload a number of open parking spots, (iii) predict (based onthe past five Tuesdays or other reference data), and display/upload theprediction, that today (e.g., a Tuesday) three parking spots should beavailable by 7 AM (e.g., as a result of people vacating parking spots togo to work), and/or (iv) trigger messaging (e.g., advertising) byprocessed data, such as by triggering a $10-off coupon for a restaurantto let traffic clear in response to estimating a thirty-minute delay intraveling home. The items (i)-(iv) may be displayed on a digital displayDS of the node 10 and/or displayed on the digital display DS of theelectronic device 16.

In some embodiments, a user can navigate the GUI to select a geographicarea 13 (FIG. 1A) having nodes 10 that the user wants to track. Forexample, the GUI can pull up data by city to track kiosks. The kiosksprocess data locally and send metadata to the cloud, thus reducing datatransmission costs. The data that the GUI displays thus is (or isderived from) the metadata that has been uploaded to the cloud.

FIG. 5 illustrates a digital image having objects 15 identified therein.In particular, one or more optical sensors C (FIG. 2B) of a node 10(FIG. 2A) can capture the image, and a processor P (FIG. 2A) of the node10 can use one or more object-recognition techniques to distinguishbetween a motor vehicle (object 15-1), people (objects 15-2 through15-4), and a non-human, non-motor-vehicle object, such as a backpack(object 15-5) or a pet. In some embodiments, the node 10 may use amachine-learning platform, such as TENSORFLOW®, for object modeldetection. For example, increased object-detection accuracy can beprovided by combining (a) a background elimination technique thatrapidly captures multiple consecutive images and detects changes betweenthose images and (b) using TENSORFLOW® for image classification.

FIG. 6 illustrates a pole-mounted optical sensor C. Though one opticalsensor C is shown attached to a location 14 that is a pole, more thanone optical sensor C may be attached to the pole. A pole-mountableoptical sensor C is designed to easily mount to a pole, such as a lightpole. The optical sensor C may be positioned relative to a desiredtarget area. For example, a video camera may be mounted at an 85° angle,at a 100-foot target range, and 9 feet off of the ground. Accordingly,motor vehicles, pedestrians, and/or parking spots that are identified bythe optical sensor C may be within a line-of-sight and/or 100 feet ofthe optical sensor C, and thus may be referred to as being “adjacent” anode 10 (FIG. 2A) that includes the optical sensor C. The optical sensorC may be battery powered, solar powered, and/or powered by utilitydistribution. In some embodiments, all sensors S (FIG. 2B) of the node10 may be in a single housing and/or may have the same power source.Moreover, if the sensors S are mounted on a light pole, they may bepowered by a power source that powers a streetlight on the pole.

FIG. 7 is a screenshot of a report generated for display by a GUI of anelectronic device 16 (FIG. 1C) that is configured to communicate with anode 10 (FIG. 2A). As shown in FIG. 7, the electronic device 16 mayreceive an email report 710 from the node 10. In particular, the report710 that is shown in FIG. 7 summarizes internal temperature data for anode 10 that is a kiosk. The report 710 may be automatically generatedby the node 10 on a regular (e.g., daily) basis. The report 710 mayindicate, for example, a current internal temperature of the node 10(e.g., a display) at the time the report 710 is generated by the node10. Moreover, a real-time alert may be sent by the node 10 when aninternal kiosk temperature meets or exceeds 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Oncethe temperature reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit, all subsequent alerts(e.g., all subsequent wireless RF transmissions) by the node 10 may bestopped until the temperature decreases to an all-clear temperature of135 degrees Fahrenheit.

In some embodiments, internal temperatures of the node 10 may becalculated by sampling hundreds (e.g., 600) of temperature reads andselecting the median temperature (to eliminate standard deviationfluctuations). The median value may then be logged into a database.

The “COUNT” that is shown in FIG. 7 indicates the total number ofinternal temperature reads for a particular node 10 (or a particularchannel) during a particular day. The internal temperature of a node 10(e.g., a digital banner or kiosk) may be calculated by directlymeasuring the temperature of one or more components that are inside thenode 10 (rather than by measuring the air temperature inside the node10). To reduce the impact of errant/outlier temperature reads (e.g.,beyond three standard deviations), the median value of a sample ofinternal temperature reads may be provided.

Data from the node 10 may be captured by a centralized microprocessor(e.g., a processor P (FIG. 2A) in the node 10), which may includemultiple channels of/for temperature, humidity, sound levels, airquality, and/or image processing. This microprocessor can store thereads (e.g., to produce a histogram) and can send alerts if any readingsexceed a critical-factor threshold.

Moreover, the node 10 may include wireless sensors having their own(e.g., built-in) microprocessors that can read various characteristics(e.g., temperature, air quality, etc.) and pass those readings onto thecentralized microprocessor. For example, if a kiosk is installed at alocation near a bus stop, the air quality may appear artificially poorbecause of the exhaust fumes of a waiting bus. Accordingly, a smallsatellite air quality sensor may be added, for example, 100 feet awaythat is not influenced by the bus fumes. This little sensor can send(e.g., via a wireless network) its readings to the centralizedmicroprocessor in the kiosk.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, a component of the node 10 may be ableto publish its own sensor data (e.g., independently of the centralizedmicroprocessor). A system according to the present invention canaccommodate (e.g., receive data from) such a component.

Systems and methods of nodes 10 that include sensors S according toembodiments of the present inventive concepts may provide a number ofadvantages. These advantages include a high level of ease-of-use, due tothe accessibility of processed sensor S data from multiple nodes 10 viaone web portal (e.g., website). Moreover, new customer solutions andvalue propositions may result from intelligence provided by a sensorplatform rather than just a random collection of sensors in the samehousing or physical location. For example, data from cameras andenvironmental sensors can drive additional value for municipalities, inthe form of enhanced information, services, and citizen safety. The datacan also be valuable for electric utilities and advertisers, in the formof decreased energy usage during peak demand periods, dissemination ofimportant information, as well as increased advertising or new monthlysubscription programs resulting from nodes on light poles, digitalbanners, digital kiosks, utility poles, and/or mass-transit vehicles.

In embodiments in which optical sensors C are used to detect availableparking spots, the number of optical sensors C may be reduced relativeto conventional parking solutions that install a sensor at each parkingspot. For example, a relatively small number of cameras may be used toinspect for vacancies. As an example, the cameras may be omnidirectional(i.e., 360-degree) cameras or other cameras that capture panoramicviews. As each camera may target multiple parking spots, the totalnumber of cameras may be smaller than the aggregate number of parkingspots targeted by the group of cameras, thus resulting in a significantcost reduction. Additionally, the system may provide video data (amongother sensor S data) that can be analyzed by nodes 10 for variousobjects such as people and motor vehicles.

The nodes 10 may be deployed in a geographic area 13 (FIG. 1A) tofacilitate a smart city, a smart campus, or a smart community. Smartcity and smart campus applications may include using data from sensors Sin/on digital banners and/or digital kiosks. For example, the nodes 10can count pedestrians, improve vehicle traffic control, measure airquality, and/or measure noise. On campuses, the nodes 10 can countstudents and/or enhance student safety. Moreover, smart communityapplications may include deploying the nodes 10 in residentialneighborhoods or other public or private developments.

The present inventive concepts have been described above with referenceto the accompanying drawings. The present inventive concepts are notlimited to the illustrated embodiments. Rather, these embodiments areintended to fully and completely disclose the present inventive conceptsto those skilled in this art. In the drawings, like numbers refer tolike elements throughout. Thicknesses and dimensions of some componentsmay be exaggerated for clarity.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under,” “below,” “lower,” “over,”“upper,” “top,” “bottom,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use or operation in addition tothe orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device inthe figures is turned over, elements described as “under” or “beneath”other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the otherelements or features. Thus, the example term “under” can encompass bothan orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Herein, the terms “attached,” “connected,” “interconnected,”“contacting,” “mounted,” and the like can mean either direct or indirectattachment or contact between elements, unless stated otherwise.

Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail forbrevity and/or clarity. As used herein the expression “and/or” includesany and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the presentinventive concepts. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood thatthe terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” whenused in this specification, specify the presence of stated features,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will also be understood that although the terms “first” and “second”may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another element. Thus, a first element could be termeda second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a firstelement without departing from the teachings of present inventiveconcepts.

Example embodiments of the present inventive concepts may be embodied asnodes, devices, apparatuses, and methods. Accordingly, exampleembodiments of present inventive concepts may be embodied in hardwareand/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code,etc.). Furthermore, example embodiments of present inventive conceptsmay take the form of a computer program product comprising anon-transitory computer-usable or computer-readable storage mediumhaving computer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in themedium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system.In the context of this document, a computer-usable or computer-readablemedium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, ortransport the program for use by or in connection with the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device.

The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example butnot limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic,infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device. More specificexamples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium wouldinclude the following: an electrical connection having one or morewires, a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact discread-only memory (CD-ROM). Note that the computer-usable orcomputer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable mediumupon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronicallycaptured, via, for instance, optical scanning of the paper or othermedium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitablemanner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.

Example embodiments of present inventive concepts are described hereinwith reference to flowchart and/or block diagram illustrations. It willbe understood that each block of the flowchart and/or block diagramillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram illustrations, may be implemented by computer programinstructions and/or hardware operations. These computer programinstructions may be provided to a processor of a general purposecomputer, a special purpose computer, or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions,which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus, create/use circuits for implementing thefunctions specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerusable or computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer usable orcomputer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture includinginstructions that implement the functions specified in the flowchartand/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that theinstructions that execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in theflowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a first outdoor nodecomprising a first digital display, a first processor, and a firstplurality of sensors, wherein the first plurality of sensors comprises aweather sensor or a device-temperature sensor that is configured todetect a temperature of one or more components of the first outdoornode; and a second outdoor node comprising a second digital display, asecond processor, and a second plurality of sensors, wherein the firstand second outdoor nodes are at different first and second outdoorlocations, respectively, in a geographic area, wherein the firstprocessor is configured to: process first data from the first pluralityof sensors; control the first digital display in response to theprocessed first data; and control uploading via the Internet of theprocessed first data, wherein controlling the first digital display inresponse to the processed first data comprises: changing digitalinformation that is displayed on the first digital display, in responseto data from the weather sensor or the device-temperature sensor; orchanging a screen brightness level of the first digital display, inresponse to the data from the weather sensor or the device-temperaturesensor, and wherein the second processor is configured to: processsecond data from the second plurality of sensors; control the seconddigital display in response to the processed second data; and controluploading via the Internet of the processed second data.
 2. The systemof claim 1, wherein the geographic area comprises a city, a schoolcampus, a residential community, an industrial park, a military base, ora recreation area.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processed firstdata comprises a count of objects detected by the first plurality ofsensors, and wherein the processed second data comprises a count ofobjects detected by the second plurality of sensors.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a server or group of servers, whereinuploading the processed first and second data via the Internet comprisestransmitting the processed first and second data to the server or groupof servers.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality ofsensors comprises multiple types of sensors.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein the first plurality of sensors comprises a camera and amicrophone.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first plurality ofsensors further comprises the weather sensor.
 8. The system of claim 1,wherein the first plurality of sensors comprises the device-temperaturesensor.
 9. A method of operating first and second nodes that are in asystem of nodes, the method comprising: processing first data from afirst plurality of sensors of the first node; controlling a firstdigital display of the first node in response to the processed firstdata; uploading the processed first data from the first node via theInternet; processing second data from a second plurality of sensors ofthe second node; controlling a second digital display of the second nodein response to the processed second data; and uploading the processedsecond data from the second node via the Internet, wherein controllingthe first digital display comprises changing an image on the firstdigital display in response to a weather condition that is indicated bythe processed first data, or changing a screen brightness level of thefirst digital display in response to a signal received by the first nodevia a wireless communications network or in response to the processedfirst data, wherein the first node is attached to a first utility pole,a first light pole, a first digital banner, a first kiosk, or a firstmass-transit vehicle, and wherein the second node is attached to asecond utility pole, a second light pole, a second digital banner, asecond kiosk, or a second mass-transit vehicle.
 10. The method of claim9, wherein the first and second nodes are in different first and secondlocations, respectively, in a city, on a school campus, in a residentialcommunity, in an industrial park, on a military base, or in a recreationarea.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the processed first datacomprises a count of objects detected by the first plurality of sensors,and wherein the processed second data comprises a count of objectsdetected by the second plurality of sensors.
 12. The method of claim 9,wherein uploading the processed first and second data via the Internetcomprises transmitting the processed first and second data to a serveror group of servers.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprisingcontrolling a traffic light and/or a pedestrian crosswalk signal, inresponse to the processed first data.
 14. The method of claim 9, whereincontrolling the first digital display comprises identifying, via thefirst digital display, a plurality of open parking spots that areadjacent the first node.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the firstplurality of sensors comprises a microphone, and wherein uploading theprocessed first data is performed in response to detecting, by themicrophone, a noise level that exceeds a threshold noise level.
 16. Themethod of claim 9, wherein processing first data comprises: counting aperson detected by the first plurality of sensors; and refraining fromre-counting the person for a predetermined amount of time.
 17. Themethod of claim 9, further comprising: receiving the processed firstdata at the second node via a wireless communications network; andcontrolling the second digital display of the second node in response tothe processed first data.
 18. The method of claim 9, wherein the firstplurality of sensors comprises a device-temperature sensor that detectsa temperature of one or more components of the first node.
 19. A methodof operating first and second nodes that are in a system of nodes, themethod comprising: processing first data from a first plurality ofsensors of the first node, wherein the first plurality of sensorscomprises a device-temperature sensor that detects a temperature of oneor more components of the first node; uploading the processed first datafrom the first node via the Internet, wherein uploading the processedfirst data comprises: uploading a daily report of temperature conditionsthat are detected by the device-temperature sensor; or uploading theprocessed first data in response to detecting, by the device-temperaturesensor, that the temperature of the one or more components of the firstnode meets or exceeds a threshold temperature; processing second datafrom a second plurality of sensors of the second node; and uploading theprocessed second data from the second node via the Internet, wherein thefirst node is attached to a first utility pole, a first light pole, afirst digital banner, a first kiosk, or a first mass-transit vehicle,and wherein the second node is attached to a second utility pole, asecond light pole, a second digital banner, a second kiosk, or a secondmass-transit vehicle.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprisingcontrolling one or more active-cooling elements of the first node inresponse to detecting, by the device-temperature sensor, that thetemperature of the one or more components of the first node meets orexceeds the threshold temperature.